MPs line up for top county seats

The battle for the position of governor in Kakamega and Vihiga counties has started taking shape.

In the Vihiga County, Hamisi MP George Khaniri has publicly declared he will be in the race for the governorship.

The Information assistant minister, who has served as MP for four consecutive terms, said he had matured politically and was best suited for the position.

Emuhaya MP Wilber Ottichilo, and the vice- chairperson of the Women Umbrella Organisation, Ms Alice Kirambi, are reported to be eyeing the position.

Ms Kirambi has contested two times against Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi for the Sabatia parliamentary seat and lost.

She said she will be counting on her record on projects involving communities in marginalised parts of the country to win support.

In Kakamega, the top contenders include Cabinet ministers Mr Wycliffe Oparanya (planning) and Mr Soita Shitanda (housing).

Others are Ikolomani MP Boni Khalwale, Shinyalu’s Justus Kizito and Cyrus Jirongo of Lugari. Mr Kizito told the Nation he was working on a campaign team.

“I am a serious contender for the position and I think I stand a good chance because I am a new face on the political scene and I will be able to inject fresh leadership if elected,” said the MP.